Whether you’re involved in military ops or landscape construction or hanging from a tree 50 feet off the ground, you’re in a high-risk zone for personal injury. For anyone whose work requires physical demands that are potentially dangerous, research tells us that psychological preparation is equally important as physical prep.

Utility companies have found 90 percent of accidents happen on beautiful, sunny days.  During stormy days, however, workers’ minds are more focused on how they could be injured. That alertness keeps them safer. 

Both the military and private industries are catching on to the root cause of most catastrophic—and lesser—accidents.  The fault lies with the human mind and not noticing what all our senses tell us about perils around us. Do you smell gas? Are you standing on unstable ground?

A study done by the U.S. Army concluded a fit mind has cognitive resilience and supports better performance. Soldiers trained in mindfulness were more situationally aware and better able to manage and recover from stress. Like physical workouts, daily mind practice builds success.

Mindfulness is a buzz word these days, but pay attention.  Research has linked it to increased productivity and reduced costs in accidents, illness, miscommunication and absenteeism. Apple, Google, Procter & Gamble and many more big firms already offer mindfulness programs to their employees.

How does it work? Here are the basics:

Be aware every moment. On a job site, be aware mentally and physically of your surroundings and the present moment. Avoid operating on autopilot. Instead, practice being constantly aware of internal and external conditions.

Recharge with awareness. Although it seems counterintuitive, using awareness in a fast-paced environment requires slowing down the mind. Simply stop and allow yourself to reconnect with the present moment in its current condition.

Redirect attention. If your mind is not where your body sits, redirect with a simple physical task. If your mind is on the beach, pick up a shovel to reconnect with your current location and what you are really doing.

Practice keeping an open mind, not a full one. A simple stop, look and listen will help you notice surprises or problems. It only takes a moment to assess a situation. With enhanced awareness, you and your team can assess what is working well and what is not. The more you pause to look and listen, the more it becomes a way of life that enhances safety, efficiency, and productivity.

Carol O’Dowd. Fresh Aire Enterprises, Inc., Arvada, CO, is a certified Mindfulness Instructor and has taught an awareness skills seminar at ProGreen EXPO. [email protected]